Giro d’Italia: ‘Lance Armstrong is not welcome’

THE BROOKLYN BOROUGH OF NEW YORK CITY, NY - JANUARY 06: Former Cyclist Lance Armstrong attends the "Icarus" New York Screening at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on January 6, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York. (Photo by Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images)

“Lance Armstrong has not been invited by the organiser of the Giro d’Italia,” RCS Sport’s director Paolo Bellino told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He is disqualified for life by the UCI and therefore cannot have roles in UCI events.”

Armstrong posted daily podcasts for the 2017 Tour de France from various spots in the US. However, pressure saw the Colorado Classic organiser cut a planned deal with him for its event in 2017. He continued, however, and recorded podcasts related to the event from a local wine bar.

The Texan, now 46, said that he plans on going to Israel for the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia.

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“He cannot receive an accreditation from the organisation,” Bellino added.

“That’s how it is, and in fact, for cycling, he no longer exists. He is no longer part of our world.”

He could record his show from anywhere around the race, but not in official areas. As RCS Sport noted in a statement on Monday evening: “Anyone can watch a bike race from the roadside, outside of the official areas.”

It is not clear yet if Armstrong would travel to Italy where the remainder of the 2018 Giro d’Italia will unfold. He also has plans to cover the Tour of California, from May 13 to 19.

“The chance to go Israel to cover an iconic event like the Tour of Italy is insane,” Armstrong said. “The Grand Tours like the Tour de France start in Holland, Belgium or Germany, but to go far from mainland Europe is pretty awesome and a unique opportunity.”

The Tour of Flanders organiser came under pressure from every corner, including the UCI President David Lappartient. The same pressure saw the Colorado Classic organiser cancel its deal with Armstrong.